Amazon pioneered the cheap tablet market when it launched the original Kindle Fire and now it’s back with the third generation Kindle Fire HDX range. There are two tablets in the Kindle Fire HDX range, the Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch tablet and the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9-inch version.

Both versions come with the latest Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2Ghz backed by 2GB of RAM. The 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX has a 2560×1600 display with a pixel density of 339 PPI and the 7-inch version comes with a 1920×1200 display with a pixel density of 323 pixels per inch. Amazon promises that both tablets can reach a maximum brightness of 400 nits.

The new Kindle Fire tablets retain the all-black design of their predecessors, but add a little more design flair with angular edges and a glossy plastic bar on the back which houses the rear-facing camera and speakers on the 8.9-inch model and only the speakers on the 7-inch variant.

The speakers are dual stereo speakers which use Dolby Audio to blast out audio. The tablets are running the latest version of Kindle Fire OS, Kindle Fire OS 3.0 Mojito, which is based on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and offers new features like X-Ray for music, improved Amazon Prime videos and another feature called Mayday.

Amazon claims that the service will be available 24/7, 365 days a year, meaning this is tech support on a whole new level.

Mayday is probably the new Kindle Fire’s biggest selling point (other than the awesome specs at a cheap price, of course), and it’s a feature which allows users to gain immediate and free tech support. Amazon claims that once you tap the Mayday button, you’ll have a live tech support assistant appear on your screen within 15 seconds. The assistant can then draw on your screen, take you through a process step by step or take complete control of the tablet to help you through any issues that might arise through using your tablet. Amazon claims that the service will be available 24/7, 365 days a year, meaning this is tech support on a whole new level.

Amazon Prime videos has also been improved allowing users to download Amazon Prime videos offline in order to be viewed without an Internet connection. The new Second Screen app allows you to stream video content from the cloud on Samsung Smart TVs, the Playstation 3 and soon the Playstation 4.

Both variants of the Kindle Fire HDX are available for pre-order on Amazon’s site, with the 7-inch version priced at $229 and shipping on October 18, while the 8.9-inch variant is priced at $329 and will start shipping November 7th.

Make it stock android and you’ve got yourself a customer. Although someone at xda will more then likely get a stock android 4.2 on here with the playstore

Andy Maude

already pre-ordered for B-day

DamnCoolGadgets

The specs are quite impressive. Especially the 7inch with the 1080p screen. Amazon are clearly trying to take on the new Nexus 7. The Nexus still wins as it runs stock android, not a mutilated version like on the HDX. Lack of play store access also blows, but that can probably be sideloaded. Check out these sub 100 dollar tablets with run stock android http://damncoolgadgets.com/5-best-tablets-for-under-100-dollars-for-xmas/

Mvrcel Lgt

Who wants to buy an andoid tablet and be locked to Amazon OS/Store…You can aswell go for apple if you want to be locked away.

v2787

Tablets are still nothing but toys. (And there’s nothing wrong with toys, but some of us don’t have time for that.) I’m a business person, not a gamer or a retiree internet surfer. I need a portable machine with a decent keyboard that will allow me to have fast, easy access to business applications (e.g., MS Office suite) as well as printing, e-mail, and quick internet access. I need USB ports for memory sticks/storage and other applications. In short, tablets can’t provide what I need. They’re nice if all you want to do is read books–but for those of us who operate in the real world of work and deadlines, tablets are simply too small and too limited in their capabilities. Until they come up with a way to make tablets that can do what a laptop can do, I’ll save my money.

The table presented, is just full of ommissions and half truths . Complete garbage. The dwindle just dwindles in comparison to the nexus 2013.

cycad007

While the Kindle HDX 7 has a faster processor & slightly better battery, the Nexus 7 (2013) still has two features the HDX7 doesn’t…a GPS and the 5 MP rear camera.

Plus I personally believe the Google’s ecosystem is better than Amazon’s. Nexus 7 vs the HDX 7? I personally would get the Nexus…although I give props to Amazon for introducing a great alternative to Google.

john

Talk about amazing deal, if you are willing to forgo the SD card storage.
For the Fire OS, the one I had for Kindle HD was not bad at all and Kindle AOSP rom that I got later was even better.

Stephen

These would be great as long as the community develops for them more than they did the Kindle fire hd 7. ~6 months is too long a wait for me to flash an incomplete version of cm, which is why I’ve already bought a nexus 7 and am loving it.

brutalpanther

Great specs.But as with the ipad,I dont like being tied down to one provider.Example,if apple store dont offer it then you arent getting it,Same applies to amazon.Alot of apps and games thru google play are free or cheaper than the very same on apple or amazon.But kudos on the new specs,but im sure i can eventually get one that is google based.